Ross Mueller, has won the Wal Cherry Play of the Year for 2006 for his evocative play The Glory. The Arts Centre hosts a free rehearsed reading starring Kim Gyngell, Richard Cawthorne, Belinda McClory, Deidre Rubenstein and Louise Siverson on Sunday 2 September at 2pm in the Fairfax Studio.Martin Connors, a Brigadier and a career soldier, has died. Although a staunch critic of the war in which he was fighting, the Government is preparing for a State Funeral to honour him. His nephew Tom, also a soldier is accompanying the body on the long flight to Sydney. Tom arrives home after a years tour of duty to find his mother Elizabeth preparing for the funeral with the assistance of Mr Carter, a government official. Tom is to be a pallbearer and Elizabeth is to conduct the eulogy. They wait for the arrival of Elizabeth’s estranged daughter Jane. Tonight this family will battle with the burden of public grief, blame, compassion and truth. How do we remember our dead?
Ross Mueller is an established playwright with acclaimed work including No Man’s Island, MTC’s The Ghost Writer, Construction of the Human Heart, A Party in Fitzroy, Little Brother, Great Ocean Road, Colosseum, Cold Light of Day, Domestic Animals, and Printer’s Explanation.
Ross says ‘this is an important play for me. I am thrilled that the committee has recognised it. The Wal Cherry is a significant part of the Australian cultural landscape. I am aware of the man and the history of this award. I am honoured by this professional acknowledgment and hope that it gives the play an opportunity to progress to production. Thanks to Hothouse who commissioned it and nominated it. Thank you very much’.
The Arts Centre first introduced the Wal Cherry Play of the Year in 1989 to honour the achievements of the acclaimed director and theatre administrator, Wal Cherry, who died in 1986. The award is one of the most prestigious in playwriting, with the winner receiving $5,000 and the exposure of this event from the Arts Centre.
The Art Centre’s Manager for Public Programs Rob Gebert says, ‘The Wal Cherry Play of the Year is an important indication of the Arts Centre’s commitment to supporting Victorian artists in the creation of new work. The selection of Ross Mueller as the winner of this year’s Award is well deserved recognition of one of Victoria’s most exciting writers’.
A measure of the success of The Wal Cherry is that the past winners such as Ben Ellis (Falling Petals), Anthony Crowley (The Frail Man), Patricia Cornelius (Love) and Gareth Ellis (A View Of Concrete) have all had their plays produced. Last years winner Kit Lazaroo has just finished a sold out season at La Mama for her play Asylum which won last years Wal Cherry Award.
This event has played to full houses every year, so arrive early to catch this exciting work-in-progress.
the Arts Centre and HotHouse Theatre in association with Ilbijerri Theatre Cooperative, La Mama, Melbourne Theatre Company,Melbourne Workers Theatre, Melbourne Writers Theatre, Malthouse Theatre and St Martins Youth Arts Centre present
Wal Cherry Play of the Year 2006
The Glory
by Ross Mueller
Directed by Aidan Fennessy
Venue: the Arts Centre | Fairfax Studio
Date/Time: Sunday 2 September, 2pm
Entry: FREE
